all of them, looking back at the ruins of the church, the first place where he'd laid eyes on Luschka. I can't stay. I have to catch her. Well, from what I remember, Cam said softly, you never will. The past is already written, brother.
Your past, maybe. But not my future. Daniel couldn't think straight. His wings burned inside his body, aching to be released. She was gone. The street was empty. No one else to worry about.
He threw his shoulders back and let them out with a whoosh. There. That lightness. That deepest freedom. He could think more clearly now. What he needed was a moment alone. With himself. He shot the other Daniel a look and took off into the sky.
Moments later, he heard the sound again: the same whoosh of wings unfurling--the sound of another pair of wings, younger wings, taking flight from the ground below.
Daniel's earlier self caught up with him in the sky. Where to?
Wordlessly they settled on a third-story ledge near Patriarch's Pond, on the roof across from Luce's window, where they used to watch her sleep. The memory would be fresher in Daniil's mind, but the faint recollection of Luce lying dreaming under the covers still sent a warm rush across Daniel's wings.
Both were somber. In the bombed-out city, it was sad and ironic that her building had been spared when she hadn't. They stood in silence in the cold night, both carefully tucking back their wings so that they wouldn't accidentally touch.
How are things for her in the future?
Daniel sighed. The good news is that something is different in this lifetime. Somehow the curse has been ... altered.
How? Daniil looked up, and the hope that shone bright in his eyes darkened. You mean to say, in her current lifetime she has not yet made a covenant?
We think not. That's part of it. It seems a loophole has opened up and allowed her to live beyond her usual time--
But it's so dangerous. Daniil spoke quickly, frantically, spewing out the same discourse that had been running through Daniel's mind ever since the last night at Sword & Cross, when he'd realized that this time was different: She could die and not come back. That could be the end. Every single thing is on the line now.
"I know."
Daniil stopped, composed himself. I'm sorry. Of course you know. But ... the question is, does she understand why this life is different?
Daniel looked at his empty hands. One of the Elders of Zhsmaelim got to her, interrogated her before Luce knew anything about her past. Lucinda recognizes that everyone is focused on the fact that she has not been baptized ... but there is so much she doesn't know.
Daniil stepped to the edge of the roof and gazed at her dark window. Then what's the bad news?
I fear there is also much that I don't know. I cannot predict the consequences of her fleeing backward into time if I don't find her, and stop her, before it's too late.
Down on the street, a siren blared. The air raid was over. Soon the Russians would be out combing the city, looking for survivors.
Daniel sifted through the shreds of his memory. She was going further back--but to which lifetime? He turned to look hard at his earlier self. You recall it, too, don't you?
That ... she is going back?
Yes. But how far back? They spoke simultaneously, staring at the dark street.
And where will she stop? Daniel said abruptly, backing away from the edge. He closed his eyes, took a breath. Luce is different now. She's-- He could almost smell her. Clean, pure light, like sunshine. Something fundamental has shifted. We finally have a real chance. And I--I have never been more elated ... nor more sick with terror. He opened his eyes and was surprised to see Daniil nod.
Daniel?
Yes?
What are you waiting for? Daniil asked with a smile. Go get her.
And with that, Daniel teased open a shadow along the roof ledge--an Announcer--and stepped inside.
Chapter Three
FOOLS RUSH IN
MILAN, ITALY MAY 25, 1918
Luce staggered out of the Announcer to the sound of explosions. She ducked and covered her ears.
Violent bursts rocked the ground. One heavy boom after another, each more spectacular and paralyzing than the one before, until the sound and the tremors reverberated so that there seemed to be no break in the assault. No way to escape the din, and no end.
Luce stumbled in the earsplitting darkness, curling into herself, trying to shield her body. The blasts thrummed